Adjustable clamp



c. E. THOMAS ADJUSTABLE CLAMP June 1a, 1946.

Filed Feb. 28, 1944 INVEN TOR.

Patented June 18, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in adjustable clamps.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved adjustable clamp adapted for use in applying a substantially even pressure upon two or more members which are to be secured one to another by an adhesive.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel and inexpensive hand operated clamp which is capable of being readily adjusted to permit its convenient use as a pressure applying device upon members having varying overall thicknesses which are to be secured together by an adhesive.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel clamp of the kind characterized which embodies novel means for varying the pressure its clamping jaws exert upon members engaged thereby.

Other and further objects of my invention will be pointed out hereinafter, or will be indicated in the appended claims, or will be obvious to one skilled in the art upon an understanding of the present disclosure. For the purpose of this application, I have elected to show herein certain forms and details of an adjustable clamp representative of my invention; it is to be understood, however, that the embodiment of my invention herein shown and described is for the purpose of illustration only, and that therefore it is not to be regarded as exhaustive of the variations of the invention, nor is it to be given an interpretation such as might have the effect of limiting the claim short of the true and most comprehensive scope of the invention in the art.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an adjustable clamp embodying the preferred principles of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, the numerals l and 2 designate two elongated members of suitable cross-sectional shape, having opposed jaws i and 2' and finger engageable members la and 2a, respectively, at their opposite ends. Secured to the elongated member 2 as by pins 3 or other suitable means, is a thin upright supporting member 4 having a series of spaced notches 5 vertically arranged at an edge thereof. The supporting member 4 is centrally positioned with respect to the opposite sides of the elongated member 2 and it slidably extends through a narrow slot 6 provided in the other elongated member I. The supporting member 4 and the slot 6 through which it extends are positioned near the finger engageable members la and 2a, respectively, Secured to the elongated member l and positioned so it extends across the particular end of the slot 6 located nearest the finger engaging member la, is a fulcrum pin '1 which is removably lodged in one of the notches 5 of the supporting member 4. The successive positioning of the fulcrum pin 1 in notches disposed progressively farther from the elongated member 2 will gradually increase the distance between the elongated members as well as the capacity of the jaws I and 2' to operatively engage with members of increased overall thicknesses which are to be held in a firmly clamped position while an adhesive is setting. Thus, the clamp can be adjusted so its jaws I and 2', when in operative parallel positions, are closer to or farther from one another.

Extending around and engaging with the elongated members I and 2 is a resilient member 8, which may comprise a rubber band, a spring or any other suitable device capable of urging the jaws l and 2 toward one another. By adjusting the position of the resilient member 8 so it is positioned closer to the free ends of the jaws l and 2, the pressure thereon is increased, and when the position of the said resilient member is adjusted toward the fulcrum pin 1 the pressure at the ends of the jaws is diminished. Thus the clamping pressure of the jaws may be adjusted to meet certain requirements by changing the position of the resilient member with respect to the fulcrum pin.

The substantial length of the jaws permits the application of an even or uniform pressure upon both long or short members clamped therebetween. The pressing of the finger engageable members Ia and 2a toward one another will open the jaws l and 2 to permit their subsequent engagement with members placed therebetween. The release of the finger engageable members will thereupon enable the resilient member 8 to urge the jaws into firm engagement with the members placed therebetween, thereby holding them in place while the cement previously applied thereto is setting.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

In an adjustable clamp, two elongated members arranged alongside one another, clamping jaws formed at adjacent ends of the elongated members, finger engageable means formed at the opposite adjacent ends of the elongated members, an elongated supporting plate secured to one of the elongated members and positioned adja- 4 plate at varying distances from the elongated member to which the supporting plate is secured, the said notches each being arranged to receive and hold the fulcrum pin, and a resilient member adjustably engaging with the elongated members for urging the jaws toward one another.

CARROLL E, THOMAS. 

